WSPMA is proud to announce that Leah Helms, a leading voice in urban rodent management, played a key role in this year’s National Urban Rat Summit. Leah’s collaboration at the summit are part of a larger, ongoing effort to address growing rodent issues in urban areas across the United States. Her work continues to support cutting-edge strategies for rodent mitigation, with a focus on sustainable and effective pest management practices that benefit both urban communities and the pest control industry.
Leah’s involvement in the summit follows the highly successful 2023 rodent workshop jointly organized by WSPMA and King County Public Health. This event brought together pest control operators (PCOs) and municipal representatives to collaborate on best practices for rodent control in Washington State. This innovative partnership between public health officials and pest management professionals was aimed at mitigating rodent issues that pose public health risks, ensuring cleaner, safer communities for residents.
WSPMA and King County Public Health are excited to continue this collaboration in future projects, reinforcing the strong bond between public health and pest management professionals. These partnerships allow for the sharing of expertise and resources, ensuring that local PCOs are well-equipped to handle rodent infestations and that municipalities have the support they need to protect public health.
The importance of these efforts is mirrored across the country, as highlighted in a recent article about New York City’s rodent mitigation plans. Rodent management continues to be a growing concern in urban areas, and cities are taking proactive steps to develop integrated strategies that address this complex issue. WSPMA is committed to remaining at the forefront of these discussions, ensuring that our members are part of the solution.
Stay tuned for more updates as Leah and WSPMA continue to drive progress in urban rodent management. Together with King County Public Health and other stakeholders, we are committed to making Washington a model for effective and responsible pest control practices.
Learn more about rodent mitigation efforts across the country in this insightful article: Cross-Pollination: Rodent Mitigation Plans in New York.